Government inaction the reason for aboriginal protests: former PM Martin

Martin, who was in Toronto for a conference on encouraging economic development in aboriginal communities, said he was actively involved in the protest movement during his university days and supports the right to hold non-violent rallies - even if they inconvenience the public.

"There must be no violence," Martin said in an interview.

"But protesting is a legitimate way of making one's voices felt ... and I think that's understandable, and it arises because people feel they can't have their voices heard otherwise."

The Assembly of First Nations has scheduled a national day of action for May 29 to peacefully raise awareness about aboriginal issues. But last year's day of action also included a blockade of a major rail line and highway in eastern Ontario by hardline protesters.

No one wants to see blockades or occupations take place, but they're a reflection of the federal government's inaction in dealing with aboriginal issues and land claims, Martin said.

"It's up to government to deal with it, and the fact is, our systems of resolving these kinds of disputes are too slow," he said.

Martin said he's still disappointed the Conservative federal government won't reconsider its stance on the Kelowna Accord, a $5-billion deal negotiated by the former Liberal government, native leaders and the premiers that was meant to improve aboriginal living standards.

Instead, Indian Affairs Minister Chuck Strahl has argued that his government is taking a targeted approach to help speed up land-claim settlements and clean up polluted water.

But Chief Glenn Nolan of the Missanabie Cree First Nation in Ontario said he's not happy with the scant government help his people has received or the way they've been treated for decades.

"First Nations people in Canada have been subjected to a policy that's subverted us," he said. "It's told us we're incapable of looking after ourselves.

"Indian Affairs is the worst example because they haven't managed us in a very positive way."

Nolan said he's "not big" on protests, especially blockades, but acknowledged they're often necessary.

"If we continue to wait for the government to act, nothing will happen," he said. "So we have to take the initiative ourselves."

The public can expect more protests in the future because aboriginals are increasingly feeling like they have no other options, said lawyer Jason Madden, who represents the Metis Nation of Ontario.

"There comes a point in time where there's such a level of frustration within the communities that changes aren't being made, and governments aren't taking their responsibilities seriously, so you see people saying, 'Well, we have nothing to lose,"' Madden said.

"When people feel they have no other voice or vehicle for being heard and they have nothing to lose, they're going to do this on behalf of their community."

The recent incarceration of seven aboriginal leaders in Ontario for protesting uranium mining in their traditional territory will only spawn more protests and will not deter anyone from speaking out, he said.

"What it's only going to do is it's going to increase that anger in the communities, and you're going to see more of it," he said.

"And they'll start thinking, 'Well, maybe we have to be more aggressive as well."'